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Wolves camps offer a few twists this year

Instructor Austin Mueller shares basketball tips and tricks with campers at the Grande Prairie Regional College (GPRC) gymnasium on Monday. Young sport enthusiasts have the opportunity to explore a variety of athletic activities offered in the Multi Sport program. (Caryn Ceolin/Daily Herald-Tribune)

Athletics won’t play as instrumental a role in a new music camp joining the roster of physically active programs through the GRPC Wolves this summer.

Campers will continue to exercise both the brain and body, but rather than participating in a sports setting, they will engage the Wolves active philosophy surrounded by music.

“The intent is to join the culture and art side of things with physical activity,” said François Fournier, Wolves Athletic Director. “Though it’s more music focused, the instructor will incorporate different motions for them to do even when they’re sitting, playing their instruments, so that the body is moving. It’s pretty neat.”

In partnership with the Grande Prairie Boy’s Choir, Musically Active was developed to teach children music – from harmonizing melodies to perfecting the glockenspiel – while fine-tuning a sportier skills set.

“We work with (the Grande Prairie Boy’s Choir) in reference to physical activities for boys, so they’re not just standing there and singing, but actually leading active and healthy lifestyles,” Fournier said. “The (Musically Active) curriculum will see the same concept of games, as in, say our Multi Sport camp, but it’s all done with music.”

Musically Active is the seventh camp offered by the GPRC Wolves in July and August.

The usual badminton, basketball, volleyball and Multi Sport camps have returned for yet another successful season, while Outdoor Adventure camp joins the ranks of popularity in its second year, having sold out last week.

Indoor rock climbing is also available.

“(Outdoor Adventure)is an excellent bike camp for any of your outdoor enthusiasts,” said Vaughn Marillier, Wolves summer camp co-ordinator. “We started it last year, but we didn’t have too many campers. The camp just exploded this year, it got full fast.”

Marillier attributes the camp’s appeal to its adrenalizing activities.

In collaboration with Nitehawk Recreation Centre, children are offered the opportunity to learn the ins and outs of downhill mountain biking directly from the pros.

In the heart of the Wapiti River valley, just south of Grande Prairie, campers will be trained on proper maintenance and safety before riding fast speeds on the trails.

“Kids who did it last year told their friends, and the next thing we knew, we had so much interest. Nitehawk is a big draw for a lot of kids too. They really enjoy going out there.”

While the beloved sport camps keep campers coming back for more each year, Marillier said new instructors bring a fresh edge to the same curriculums in helping to keep things exciting for familiar faces.

“This year one of our head instructors is from the Wolves basketball team. He brings a sportier element to the camp – he does the whole college basketball drills, and the kids really love it,” said Marillier. “Instructors that bring a different dimension to the camps evolve the interests and needs of campers.”

While the risk of canceling camps due to low enrollments does exist, Musically Active will go ahead regardless. Currently, registration is close to 50% full.

“It’s a great way (for children) to learn about music and how to integrate physical activity in the things they do,” said Fournier. “When I watched (the instructors) do the training, they never quit smiling, they were having so much fun.”

Whether your child is musically inclined or not, Musically Active, like the other camps, is a way for campers to continue developing their interests in an open environment.

“The kids are going to be active all day, everyday. We get them outside as much as we can, and they’re beat by the end of the day,” said Marillier.

“And the smile on the parents’ faces when they see how tired their kids are – it’s awesome.”

For more information on the Wolves Summer Camp 2013 programs, visit www.gprc.ab.ca.